​​The release ‘A Place Where Songs Come To Live’ is the title of Vincent Cross’ latest album.  It's a collection of songs described as ‘a soul-stirring set of songs with stories of experiences lived’.
Seven of the album’s twelve tracks were recorded live at Creamery Studios in Brooklyn with a band in front of an intimate audience, capturing the immediacy and connection of performance. The remaining tracks were recorded in the same manner, without an audience, and the album will be available on CD and vinyl. Highly recommended! 

The Stroll is a somewhat slower rock 'n' roll dance from the 1950s. You can find plenty of videos online showing how it was originally performed. The current rockabilly revival also rekindled interest in the dances of the 1950s, including the Stroll, which was adapted to the zeitgeist. You can also find plenty of demonstrations of this adapted version online. The music, however, remained the same, as evidenced by the fifth volume in the "Stroll-A-Rama" series from the Atomicat label. Compiler Mark Armstrong once again selected 30 songs to serve as the soundtrack for the Stroll, while Henrique San did the artwork.
The kick-off is Jerry Woodard with the raw ‘Speedway Rock’, complete with the ‘sound of the speedway’. Kenny Lee Martin's ‘The Shape I'm In’ is also very enjoyable and a song suitable for airplay. Before LaVern Baker became a celebrated rhythm & blues singer, she began her musical career in a gospel choir. Both rhythm & blues and gospel resonate in the sublime ‘On Revival Day’, originally a Bessie Smith song, which LaVern delivers with immense passion. As a member of The Neville Brothers, Art Neville would achieve success in funk and soul music. Here he is with the classic ‘Cha Dooky-Doo’, which he recorded in 1958 for the Specialty label. A bit rawer and with a slightly faster tempo, the quintet of Rockin' Saints works its way through ‘Cheat On Me, Baby’. A smash hit! ‘Lover’s Hell’ is a song that will also please many popcorn lovers. Time for a bit of doo-wop. It's here with The Royal Lancers and their ‘Oh Little Girl’, a song featuring a delightful sax solo. Beautiful harmonies are also featured in The Ding Dongs' ‘Now We're One’, as well as in The Starlighters' ‘Let's Take A Stroll (Down Lover's Lane)’. Kenny and Mose also match vocally in ‘Tell Me That Your Love Is Real’. Betty Jayne calls it a ‘Lonely Teenager’. Apparently, that's not so bad, because it's a cheerful, up-tempo number. Jimmy Nolen played in James Brown's band, among others, where he made a name for himself with his guitar technique, the ‘chicken scratch’. You can also hear his superb guitar work in ‘How Fine Can You Be’, and he's also a talented singer. For a superb instrumental harmonica rhythm & blues, skip to George Allen Smith and ‘Loose Screws’. Later, there's the instrumental ‘New Orleans Hop’ by Monte Easter and his band. Both the sax and guitar are in the spotlight here. In the fifties and early sixties, dance crazes were very hot. There was also Curtis Lee's ‘The Wobble’. Lee worked with producer Phil Spector in his early years. ‘A Little Bit Of Soul’ by The Jarnels is certainly brilliant. The performance reminds me of Sam Cooke. The Witt Sisters are present with the Lieber/Stroller composition ‘Poison Ivy’. The flip side of this single featured The Andrew Sisters' ‘Boogiewoogie Bugle Boy’, and the Witt Sisters sound somewhat like that. Glen Pace, with his band The Gliders, delivers a superb ‘Tell Me’. The addition of steel guitar and accordion makes ‘Cats Eyes’ by Frank Zolton with Town and Country Boys sound incredibly creative. A cool twang guitar then tracks Ron Hargrave's ‘Drive In Movie’. A really great song, thanks in part to the call and response! You've undoubtedly heard countless versions of ‘Let The Good Times Roll’. But I bet John Ashley's version will surprise you. Excellent cover with a distinctly unique twist.
As is tradition, this series concludes with two recent songs that perfectly fit the zeitgeist of the other songs. This time, they're ‘I Know Who’ by Barbara Portland and ‘They Won't Let Me In’ by Texan Huelyn Duvall.
A series like "Stroll-A-Rama" never disappoints. In fact, it leaves you wanting more! Highly recommended!

The Boneshakers are back with Live To Be This, their 11th studio album and their most electrifying release yet. Set to drop in Summer 2025 onrenowned Blues Label Gulf Coast Records, this album brings the band’s signature Blues & Soul energy to soaring new heights, fueled by the powerhouse vocals of Jenny Langer and the masterful guitar work of Randy Jacobs. Produced by John Wooler, the visionary behind their ’90s breakout Book of Spells this album is a soulful journey through originals and reimagined classics, featuring an all-star lineup of special guests. Blues legends Bobby Rush, Charlie Musselwhite, Coco Montoya, Don Was, Jimmy Carpenter and more join the ride, with Rush delivering a show-stopping duet with Langer on Salty. From fiery funk-infused blues to raw, heartfelt storytelling,Live To Be This is a celebration of The Boneshakers’ legacy and their fearless future.

Shake Where You’re Steady, produced by venerable Chicago Singer-Songwriter, Steve Dawson, is an exploration of her most profound experiences. The heartbreak of watching her father leave her family in her early adolescence informed the album’s opening track, “Greatest Abandon,” which delves into her desire to love untethered by fear or past wounds. “I empathized so deeply with my mother’s sudden loss of a partner,” Chrissy explains, “and of course there was my loss, too.” Songs like “In the Meantime” reflect on hard times, while others, like “Only Now,” mark the start of healing. While some songs are reflections and other subconscious premonitions, her songwriting process mirrors her personal growth, a balance of instinct and revision, vulnerability and restraint.

Musicians and songwriters often remain in the shadow of the artists they accompany or for whom they wrote songs. Their contribution to the evolution of a musical genre is therefore unfairly underestimated. This is especially true for Niki Sullivan. Sullivan was not only a founding member of The Crickets, Buddy Holly's band, but also featured as a guitarist on Holly's now-legendary album ‘The Chirping Crickets’. As a songwriter, he was co-responsible for Buddy's classic "I'm Gonna Love You Too."
What you hear on ‘You Better Get A Move On!’, Sullivan's first solo album, is simply astonishing. You get seven previously unreleased tracks recorded in 1959 at Audio Recorders Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. This vinyl also includes two incredibly rare garage rock recordings Niki made in 1965 with his band Soul Inc. Furthermore, you'll hear ‘It's All Over’, Sullivan's only solo single for Dot Records. A major rockabilly classic! This single also includes the B-side, ‘Three Steps To Heaven’. Not to be confused with Eddie Cochran's song of the same name, as this is an original by Niki.
This release demonstrates that Nike Sullivan was a true talent. As a guitarist, singer, and songwriter, he far surpassed his peers. Each of the 12 tracks here is bursting with enormous hit potential, from straightforward rock 'n' roll to emotional ballads, as demonstrated on ‘Waitin’’ and ‘I Stand Alone’. Niki's instrumental surf skills are evident on ‘Take '9’. More of his grand instrumental work can be found on ‘Creepin' In’. Holly's influence on Sullivan is evident in his performances of ‘Treat 'Em Gently’ and ‘It Really Doesn't Matter Now’. Niki reprises the latter song with a 1960s approach with his band Soul Inc.
Fans of raw, no-nonsense rock 'n' roll, fans of Buddy Holly, and fans of true, pure rock 'n' roll from the genre's heyday should seize this opportunity. This release is limited to 500 copies worldwide and, thanks to the remastering of the original tapes by renowned music historian John Dixon, offers exceptional sound quality. The beautifully produced 10-page booklet includes liner notes by Roland Heinrich Rumtreiber and rare, nostalgic photos.
If you ask me...buy it now or regret it later!

Sometimes you have albums for which the rating 'absolutely recommended' or 'must have' is still too weak. Well Bobby 'Blue' Bland's 'His California Album' is one of those for which superlatives fall short. Bobby 'Blue' Bland already made several gems for the Duke label in the fifties and sixties. When Duke was sold in the seventies, Bobby found shelter at the ABC Dunhill label, where he could reach a wider white audience with his albums. 'Dreamer' and 'His California Album' are without a doubt beautifully polished diamonds. The German Bear Family Records re-released 'Dreamer' a few years ago and now it is the turn of 'His California Album'. Both albums were recorded in 1973/1974 with Steve Barri as producer and with Larry Carlton, Mel Brown and Dean Parks as guitarists. What immediately stands out is Bland's enormously versatile voice. A voice that gives shape to Northern soul, blues and gospel with class. When Bobby gets into a song, you immediately believe his story. That is immediately evident in the soulful opener ‘This Time I’m Gone For Good’. Bobby sounds both smooth and heartbreaking vocally when the song asks for it.
To mention the highlights on this album is simply impossible. This album contains 10 highly polished gems of songs about love, heartbreak and hope.
If you plan to buy only one soul album this year! Let it be the reissue of ‘His California Album’ by Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, now on 180g vinyl. That the album still sounds fresh, contemporary and lived-in after 5 decades, says enough. You will enjoy it for many years to come. You can be sure of that!

‘The America Chronicles’ is a powerful reflection of that journey. Years in the making, the album confronts the beauty, contradictions, and complexity of this country with clarity, compassion, and soul. It’s not just a collection of songs—it’s a witness account, an offering, and an invitation to listen.

The release ‘Ruke Joints and Honky-tonks’ is a mesmerizing mix of contrasting musical idioms, a performance that the guitarist absorbed like a sponge during his hard-earned youth in Kentucky. Over the decades, Rusty has had more than his share of roadhouses, juke joints and honky-tonks. His hearty musical stew is guaranteed to keep you moving from the first to the last note. Earwig Records label boss Michael Frank produced the tracks at Delmark Records’ Riverside Studio in Chicago, with Rusty’s trusty rhythm section featuring bassist Uncle Dave Zirnheld and drummer Gene Wickliffe. Guest guitarist Wayne Young appears on four tracks. The release ‘Roadhouses, Juke Joints and Honky-tonks’ is a statement for Rusty Ends & The HillBilly Hoodoo.  Highly recommended! 

Soulfful thought-provoking, a heart-stirring mix of Contemporary and Ole School Blues that give you the escape you’re looking for. 13 AMAZING TRACKS!  Recorded & Engineered at David Lange Studio in the Pacific Northwest.  You’ll love the warmth and soulfulness of this Album.  Vocals: Mercedes Nicole, Piano & Hammond Jake Sele, Bass Scotty Harris, Guitar Rod Cook, and Drums Andrew Cloutier.  A Must-have for your Music Library!

Californian singer-songwriter/guitarist Brad ‘Guitar’ Wilson has, after all these years, appropriated a soulful, contemporary sound. Brad, who is considered by his fan base to be one of the most talented guitarists, is also an exciting entertainer.